Her Name Was Annie by Beth Rinyu (the little red hen read aloud txt) 📕

all over the Internet,” he said as he scrolled away. Taking another sip of my wine to try and settle my nerves, I took a deep breath, just as my phone dinged once again.

Kara: So proud of you, Mom! Love you so, so much!!

Her text message momentarily took away any apprehension I was having over the whole situation. I immediately texted her back.

Me: Love you too! Be home tomorrow afternoon. I’ll text you when I get home.

“So what now?” I asked, turning my attention back to Ken, who was still paying close attention to his phone.

“I think I better get you back to Francesca’s. I’m sure now that it’s out, her place is going to be swarming with reporters.”

“Oh, jeez!” I threw my head back and huffed.

“Hey, you’re famous.” Ken smirked.

“Do you think he’ll respond at all to the allegations?” I asked.

“Well, that depends.”

“On?”

“How he’s advised. I’m sure his legal team is going to tell him to deny it and try and make it look like another false accusation, like the last one, but given the fact that she has such damning evidence. The letter from his brother, and the letter he saved and gave back to her when she first told him about it. It could be pretty damaging for him if he doesn’t play his cards right. Do I think he’ll come out and confess—never. But I think this is going to really shake things up for him. The Cavlans are a very powerful political family, so it’s really hard to tell which way it will go.” He pulled out his wallet and placed some cash down on the bar before continuing.

“Please allow me to at least pay for my drink.”

“Not a chance. Maybe we could meet up someday when I’m on your side of the country and you could get me back.”

“You got a deal.” I smiled, wondering how his wife could’ve just walked away from such a great guy. Then I reminded myself I was only hearing one side of the story and had no idea what went on in their marriage. I was certain women who didn’t know the whole story between Jack and me had more than likely thought the same thing about me while being charmed by Jack over the past few years.

_______________

Francesca’s cul-de-sac was lined with news vans, like hawks getting ready to swoop down on their prey. “Okay, when we get out of the car, just keep walking. Don’t answer any of their questions. I’ll do the talking,” Ken advised when we pulled into Francesca’s driveway.

“Fine by me.”

Francesca’s front door was about twenty feet away, but it felt more like twenty miles. When I stepped out of the car, I was rushed by at least a dozen reporters as they ascended from their vans. My name was being called over and over again from every direction. Ken rushed to my side, gently placing his hand on the small of my back and guiding me up the porch. Once I was ushered safely into the house, I ran to the bay window in the living room and watched as he stood on the porch, fielding some of their questions.

“Oh my God, this is crazy!” Francesca said, standing beside me.

“Just a little, but hopefully it will die down soon.”

Ken knocked on the door and Francesca stood behind it, opening it just enough to let him in. The relentless calls of the reporters could still be heard just before she slammed the door shut once Ken was safely inside. “Okay. I’m not going to lie, this will probably keep up until he makes a statement,” Ken advised. “They’re not supposed to be on your property, and I just advised them of that. If they do come on your property, you can have them arrested for trespassing,” he continued.

“Somehow I don’t think they care about trespassing laws,” Francesca replied.

“It’s not going to be forever.” Ken tried to reassure her. “When you go out, enter your car in the garage, and when you come home, do exit he same way. Trust me, once the next big story breaks, you’ll be a thing of the past.”

I felt awful for her. I was leaving in the morning and getting away from it all, but she was going to have to deal with this for quite a while.

“You can always fly home with me and hide out until it dies down,” I suggested.

“Oh, how I wish I could, but I have a few clients who have hair appointments this week. Believe me, those women could be more aggressive than those reporters at the prospect of me canceling on them.” I was happy to see that she was able to make light of the situation with a little joke.

“Again, if they come into your place of business, call the police,” Ken chimed in.

“Will do.” Francesca sighed as her phone began to ring. She ran off to answer it, leaving me alone with Ken.

“Thanks so much for everything. I really enjoyed getting to know you,” I said.

“Same here. I wish I were in a different place with my feelings over my marriage.”

“Please. Let’s not go there. It’s been eight years for me, and I’m still not over it,” I admitted. “I know, pretty pathetic.”

“No.” He shook his head. “It just proves that when you love someone, you love them with everything you have, and no amount of time could take that love away. I don’t find that pathetic at all. In fact, I find it quite admirable.”

“Well, thanks. That means a lot, considering that I sometimes feel like I have the word sucker written on my forehead when it comes to him.”

“I feel your pain.” He shook his head and flashed me a sympathetic smile.

“Good luck with your move and the new job. If you want to hit me up to show you around the city, Francesca and Jennifer have my number.” I knew I’d probably never hear from him again, and I was perfectly okay with that.

“I think you got